Despite serving a quarter century as the Southern Baptist Convention’s point man on public policy, Southern Evangelical Seminary President Richard Land says he never had the White House’s ear the way he does now as a member of President Donald…
Pastor says not all Baptists support ‘bathroom bill’
A Texas Baptist pastor joined interfaith clergy in a rally outside the state Capitol Aug. 1 challenging the narrative that the faith community as a whole supports proposed legislation to require transgender people to use public bathrooms that match the…
Veteran of Southern Baptist Calvinist ‘reformation’ reflects on success
Journalist Colin Hansen’s groundbreaking 2008 book “Young, Restless, Reformed” dubbed Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., “ground zero” of the New Calvinist movement in the Southern Baptist Convention, but it was a far different place 35 years ago.
Baptist-backed ‘bathroom bill’ advances in Texas
The Texas state senate voted July 25 to advance a controversial “bathroom bill” backed by social conservative groups including the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
‘Ministerial exception’ not a shield for wrongdoing, former Baptist leader says in lawsuit
A Southern Baptist Convention entity cannot hide behind the separation of church and state to avoid liability for wrongful termination and defamation, claims the latest argument filed in a dispute in federal court.
British minister, known for unsettling evangelicals in UK, takes on doctrine of Original Sin
Steve Chalke says in a new video resource that the message that humans are inherently bad isn’t the only way to interpret the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden as told in Genesis 3.
In emerging partnership, retreat center aims to end social and economic isolation of inner-city children
The National Baptist Convention of America International has purchased property near Louisville, Ky., for what Simmons College of Kentucky President Kevin Cosby says will be the only retreat and conference center in the state run by African-Americans.
Former SBC official defends White House prayer described as ‘spiritual malpractice’
One of the ministers photographed last week laying hands on President Trump and circling him in prayer has taken exception to a civil-rights leader’s labeling the viral image as “theological malpractice bordering on heresy.”
Are state constitutions’ prohibitions on aid to churches legal?
A recent U.S. Supreme Court case may put such restrictions on shaky ground, say some legal observers.
BJC head warns Johnson Amendment rollback would divide churches
A church-state specialist says language in a U.S. House spending bill limiting the ability of the IRS to deny tax-exempt status to churches for violating a ban on endorsing candidates makes them easy prey for political campaigns hunting for votes.
Popular evangelical author signals support for marriage equality, then retracts comments
Eugene Peterson’s initial response and his reversal a day later both generated criticism from fans of his many books, including his idiomatic translation of the Bible called “The Message.”
UPDATED: Evangelical author’s support for marriage equality draws fire from opponents
Southern Baptist fans of Eugene Peterson are questioning his salvation after he said in an interview he thinks it is possible to be both Christian and gay and, if asked, he would be willing to officiate a same-sex wedding. The next day the author retracted his statement.